News Releases

Quebec Region

News Release

Communiqué

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MONTREAL, QC, April 26, 2004 - On April 25, 2004, René Bélanger, an offender on statutory release with a residency requirement, failed to return at 11:00 p.m to the Community Correctional Centre in Montreal where he had been residing.

A warrant for arrest was issued immediately by an officer on standby from the Correctional Service of Canada and the police were notified immediately. The Correctional Service of Canada provided them will all relevant information that might lead to capturing this individual as quickly as possible. A Correctional Service of Canada officer assigned to search for offenders illegally at large is also involved in locating the offender.

René Bélanger, 40, has been serving a 7-year sentence since June 19, 1997, for sexual assault causing bodily harm and possession of drugs. He is 1.65 m. tall and weighs 65 kg. He has brown hair and blue eyes.

The Correctional Service of Canada will conduct an investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding this incident.

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For further information, media representatives are asked to contact:

Martin J. van Ginhoven
Acting Director, Metropolitan Montreal District
(514) 283-1777